Abbott Opposes Easier Equal Pay Lawsuits

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott says he would not sign a bill to make it easier for women to bring pay discrimination suits, hoping to get past an issue that has dogged his campaign for weeks.

A spokesman for the campaign told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the attorney general would not sign the proposed law known as the Lilly Ledbetter Act.

The act extends the statute of limitations for bringing lawsuits where an employer paid a person less because of their gender, race or religion.

Democrats began attacking Abbott on the issue after he refused to answer a question about the act in a televised interview. Since then, women acting as campaign surrogates for Abbott have made gaffes explaining why they opposed the law.